communications students in the Magazine and Feature Writing class. For the past two years Ellsworth has taught journalism classes. | Photo by Anne Richoux
Union’s media relations director Tim Ellsworth will transition into a position as a professor for the Communication Arts Department and adviser to the Cardinal & Cream beginning next fall.
Mark Kahler, associate vice president for University Communications, who has known Ellsworth since he started his position in 2004, said he has been impressed with Ellsworth’s professionalism and dedication.
“Union is blessed with an outstanding Communication Arts faculty, and I think Tim will fit nicely within that strong group of educators,” Kahler said. “Tim has obvious leadership skills. Students will appreciate his calm professionalism, whether he’s lecturing them in a classroom or helping them meet Cardinal & Cream deadlines.”
Ellsworth, a Union alumnus, wrote for the Cardinal & Cream and has since had much professional experience in the journalism field.
“So much of journalism, I think, is learning from experience. It’s learning from people who have got the stories and got the examples that they can give of what worked and what didn’t,” Ellsworth said. “How you actually go about the practical side of journalism of breaking stories, of covering stories, of interviewing, of looking for stories — digging and those kinds of things.
“And so since I’ve done a lot of that, I think that it will translate well into the classroom and hopefully be something that students can learn from.”
Ellsworth has taught courses in Communication Arts previously while also acting as media relations director and writing for The Baptist Press.
“Mr. Ellsworth brings extensive real-world experience to the department,” said department chairman Web Drake. “His years as a journalist, a public relations director and an author will provide our students with the practical knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields.”
Having been a student in Union’s Communication Arts department himself, Ellsworth said that he will be able to see where students are coming from and where they are in their writing.
His experience as a student and writer for the Cardinal & Cream will combine with his professional experiences to teach students the valuable lessons they need to learn in order to be well-developed writers.
“I had professors who invested in me and taught me a lot, and so I hope that I can return that favor and do the same for others,” Ellsworth said.
Beth Knoll, an alumna and coworker of Ellsworth, had this to say about him: “Having taken Tim’s Public Relations Writing class my senior year at Union, I know he has a God-given talent for teaching, and his strong and varied background as a writing professional will greatly benefit students.”
She added, “Tim challenges students to do more than merely complete assignments, as he provides helpful feedback, advice and encouragement on how to become better writers.”
